Improvement in sectional steam-generators



G. H. BABCOCK & S. WILCOX.

SECTIONAL STEAM GENERATOR.

Patented Apr14, 1876.

mneppes:

GEORGE H. BABOOOK, OF PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, AND STEPHEN WILOOX, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN SECTIONAL STEAM-GENERATORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l75,518, dated April 4, 1876; application tiled January 12, 1876. i i

To all whom 'it may concern Beit known that we, GEORGE H. BABcocK, of Plainfield, Union county, New Jersey, and STEPHEN WILcox, of Brooklyn, Kings county, New York, have invented certain Improvements Relating to Steam-Boilers, of which the following isa specication: i

We have heretofore aided in introducing into extensive use a style of boiler in which the steam is mainly generated in a collection of inclined pipes, connected together at each end and ltothe horizontal drum above, which serves as a separating-chamber. The water descends from one end of the drum to the lowest ends of the tubes. It moves actively through the tubes, and thence rises through the shorter connection to the other end of the drum. Suitable provisions are madefor circulating the products of combustion thoroughly through the spaces between the tubes. The tubes and connections and the lower portions of the separating drum are all eifective heating-surfaces.

We have devoted ourselves earnestly to improving and 'perfecting this class of boilers fora number of years. Our present invention relates to the modeof mounting and supporting such boilers, and to the character of the connections, and to provision for effecting the connections, and is the result of our experience with the boiler patented by us February 18, 1875, No. 135,877; but many ofthe details may be different therefrom.

For the tire-surface any ordinary tubes may be employed, connected together in any ordinary or suitable manner which will afford a strong and sal'e construction, and one easily accessible for repairs or renewals. Any suitable construction of the grates, and of the brick and metal work which incloses'the Whole, may be adopted.

The accompanying' drawings form part of this specication, and represent what we consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figurel is a side elevation, partly in section. Fig. 2 is an end view.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in both igures.

Referring to the gures, Arepresents the body of the separating-drinn, and A1 A1 castiron ends thereof., The front end is provided with a man-hole and cover, A2. Each of the end castings A1 is, furthermore, formed with a stout horn near the top, indicated by A3, adapted to receive a suspension 1ink,"`b, from the cross-girder B, resting on columns B1 B1.-

The front connections E are extended upward considerably above the uppermost of -the tubes D, and each is formed with a hollow face matching against the holes A4. A handhole, e, equipped with a suitable cover, is provided in line with the center of each hole A4.

Short lengths of tubing m are introduced in the positions represented, and expanded by an expanding tool introduced through the hand-holes c, so as toht'orm a strong and reliable union. At the back end of the separatingdrum corresponding short lengths of tube m similarly connect the separating-drum with hollow castings G. These castings G form a liberal water communication from the separating-drum-A through a series of tubes, M, to the connections E at the back ends of the tubes D. The tubes M are nearly upright, and are of considerable length, corresponding to the inclination of the tubes D. The tubes M are united to thecastings E and G by being expanded by a tool introduced through handholes g. These hand-holes g and their covers are mounted at an angle of about forty-tive degrees, and are considerably larger than a tube, m. They are mounted at the intersections of the axes ofthe tubes m M, so that on removing these hand-hole covers a tool may be introduced to expand either the connected tube m or the connected tube M. To the lower end of the connections E, at the back, is a mud vessel, J. This is secured to the connections E by short tubes exactly in line with the tubes M, and expanded by an expanding-tool introduced through the latter and through the same hand-hole g. Through the front horn or projection A3 is a passage communicating with a pipe, p', which leads to the upper end ot' a gage-stand, P. The lower end of this gage-stand is connected to the boiler below the water-line by a pipe, p2, which is extended through the boiler and far enough to terminate in dense water.

The extended character of our boiler, and the exposure of its parts to great variations of temperature, render it peculiarly difficult of support by the ordinary means. Our suspen sion-links from the cross-girders, by taking hold of the projections A3 in the ends of the drum, involve little expense, and allow by their slight swinging capacity for expansion in thelengtll of the drum, as well as in all the parts of the system below. V

Our short tubes m being fixed in place by an ordinary expandingtool, there is no necessity for revolving them, or for springing or straining any part in the process of construction, or in any subsequent alterations or repairs.

()ur improvement gives an absolutely tight and strong connection with less expense than heretofore for materials or labor. It involves less metal, and the least possible bulk, and allows of elasticity in eases of unequal expan-V sion without causing the joints to leak.

Our projections A3 and suspension-links b make the boiler suspension entirely independent of the brick-work. The boiler being thus suspended, there is no tendency to strain the joints by the expansion and contraction of the boiler being different from that of the brickwork, the boiler being free to expand and contract entirely independently of its surroundings.

We claim as our improvement in boilersl. The expanded tube m, securing the drum A to the connections E, and thus to the entire heating surface, in combination with hand-holes in the connections in line therewith, as and for the purposes specified.

2. In combination With the separating-drum A, connected with the inclined tubes D, as specified, the oblique hand-hole g, arran ged, as shown, relatively to the two sets of tubular connections m M, to allow the introduction of an expanding-tool, as and for the purposes eno. H. BABeoex. s. wILeox.

Witnesses:

' A. HENRY GENTNER,

C. C..S'rETsoN. 

